CMP Composition and Music Theory 3

Question 1

What is a 'secondary dominant' chord?

Accepted Answer

A dominant seventh chord built on a scale degree other than 5 that temporarily tonicizes another chord

Answer

A secondary dominant (V/X) is a dominant-function chord applied to a chord other than the tonic, creating a brief sense of a new key center.

Question 2

In a 12-bar blues progression in the key of C, which chord typically appears in bar 5?

Accepted Answer

F7 (IV7)

Answer

The standard 12-bar blues moves to the IV chord (F7 in C) in bar 5 after four bars on the I chord.

Question 3

What is the difference between a 'motive' and a 'theme' in composition?

Accepted Answer

A motive is a short rhythmic or melodic cell; a theme is a longer, more complete musical idea built from motives

Answer

A motive is the smallest identifiable unit of musical meaning, while a theme is a fuller melodic statement that may incorporate one or more motives.

Question 4

What is 'contrary motion' in voice leading?

Accepted Answer

Two voices moving in opposite directions simultaneously

Answer

Contrary motion occurs when one voice ascends while another descends, and it is generally considered the strongest and most independent type of voice motion.

Question 5

What is the 'tritone substitution' rule used in jazz harmony?

Accepted Answer

Replacing a dominant seventh chord with another dominant seventh chord whose root is a tritone away

Answer

Tritone substitution replaces a V7 chord with a dominant chord whose root is a tritone away, since both chords share the same tritone interval between their 3rd and 7th.

(CMP) Certified Music Producer Practice Test

(CMP) Certified Music Producer Practice Test

CMP Composition and Music Theory 3